Modular housing for rotary engine



May 26, 1970 J. c. HAMBRIC MODULAR HOUSING FOR ROTARY ENGINE Filed June 20, 1968 QllL Siwa@ I SSQRM United States Patent Otlce 3,514,239 Patented May 26, 1970 U.S. Cl. 123-13 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A housing is disclosed for a rotary engine in which a pair of intermeshed, segmented disks are perpendicularly mounted to revolve and develop spaces of compression and expansion therebetween. The perpendicular disks are carried on transversely-related shafts and include radially-extending lobes between which the intermeshed relationships are developed within the housing. The housing includes: one pair of matingly-opposed components defining an annulus about one of the disk members and also defining side walls axial of the other disk member to afford a bearing surface that supports the disk member; the housing further includes another somewhat-similar pair of matingly-opposed components which provide annulus and side Wall closure portions of the housing supplemental to those of the first pair of components.

The two pairs of face-opposing components are fastened together to provide an integral unit, enclosing the engine and providing the spaces for compression and expansion. The individual housing components are disclosed to be of two different types, one of which also defines a combustion chamber for utilization of the present system as an internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Internal combustion engines have been proposed in the past in which a pair of rotors, carrying radially-extending lobes or abutments serve as both pistons and cylinder heads by revolving in a pair of intersecting perpendicular annular passages. Specifically, for example, a structure of this type is shown and described in U.S. Pat. 2,674,982 issued Apr. 13, 1954 to William B. McCall. Another patent covering certain improvement features of such an engine issued to the same inventor on Oct. 30, 1962, bearing the US. Pat. No. 3,060,910.

In general, engines of this type are capable of providing vibration-free balanced rotary motion, while utilizing relatively few parts, yet affording good reliability and exceedingly clean operation. Furthermore, engines of this type avoid reciprocating components with the result that relatively little maintenance is required over extended intervals of operation. However, although internal combustion engines of the type described above possess many advantages, they have not generally come into widespread use, primarily because of the vast engineering effort that has been expended in perfecting various prior forms of reciprocating engines to their present stage of development. For example, various forms of reciprocating internal combustion engines as employed in automotive marine, and aviation applications have been produced in such quantities that eventually considerable economy has been achieved. As a result, rotary engines of the type considered above must be rather highly developed to compete (in production as well as use) with existing reciprocating engines. This consideration applies inspite of the apparent advantages of non-reciprocating machines.

In general, the present invention specifically contemplates a housing for a rotary engine of the type utilizing a pair of intermeshed disk structures carried on transversely-related shafts, and which disk structures include radially-extending lobes for developing spaces of compression and expansion Within the housing. The housing hereof is developed in a symmetrical fashion by generally-similar opposing components in order to reduce the total number of components and employ duplicate components. As disclosed herein, in one form, the housing may be comprised of only six separate components, of three distinct types thereby affording considerable economy in manufacture and maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the appended drawings which also form a part of this specification, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of an engine housing constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a somewhat-exploded, perspective and diagrammatic representation illustrating the component parts of the structure of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the embodiment merely exemplified the invention which may be embodied in many forms which differ radically from the specific illustrative embodiment. Therefore, structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims defining the scope of the invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, rather generally, the housing hereof is depicted in an assembled integral form. The housing may be considered to define two circular cavities to accommodate two perpendicularly-mounted disk members the operation of which is considered below. Specifically, as shown in FIG. l, the housing provides a horizontal section 2 for containing a horizontal disk, and a vertical section 4 for containing a vertical disk (held in an upright position). In general, the sections 2 and 4 are perpendicularly symmetrical and together comprise only six separate component pieces. The horizontal section 2 provides bearing support for a vertical shaft 6 while the vertical section similarly supports a horizontal shaft 8. The component parts of the housing are fixed into an integral unit by fasteners, e.g. studs 9.

An additional function of the housing is to provide combustion chambers for use when the structure operates as an internal combustion engine. Specifically, blocks 10 are defined in the housing which contain bores, and which receive opposed heads 11 fixed in place by studs 12 and which support spark plugs 13.

Preliminary to further explanation of structural details of the housing and the component parts thereof, some explanation of the engine and its mode of operation as an internal-combustion machine is desirable. Therefore, referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an internal operating structure 14, including a pair 'of meshed rotors 15 and 16 (mounted for rotation about axes that are in perpendicular relationship). At their external peripheries, these rotors define lobes or radial extensions which function both as pistons and as heads in the operation of the system as an internal combustion engine. That is, specifically, the periphery of the rotor 15 defines radially-extending lobes 17 and 18 while the rotor 16 defines similar lobes 19 and 20.

The leading and trailing edges of the radial lobes are tapered to accommodate a closely intermeshed synchronous motion between them as the rotors 15 and 16 revolve with perpendicular axial shafts 6 and 8. Thus, when the rotors 15 and 16 are enclosed by the housing (shown exploded in FIG. 2) spaces are developed between the rotors |which sequentially increase and reduce in size so as to acomplish compression and expansion cycles as may be employed in an internal combustion engine.

The operation of the system as an internal combustion engine is explained in considerable detail in the abovereferenced patents; however, somewhat summarily, a combustion-and-exhaust fioW path for the rotor is generally indicated by a diagrammatic arrow 26. An arrow 28 provides a similar indication for the rotor 16. For illustrative purposes, these paths (defined by the arrows 26 and 28) are shown to be continuous; however, in fact the gas flow is intermittent (in charges carried between the lobes of the rotors). The paths of the gas between intake and exhaust are prevented from closing with respect to each of the rotors by arcuate valve plates 30 and 32 which are synchronized to the motion of the rotors 15 and 16.

Considering an exemplary cycle of operation, as the rotor 15 revolves (in a clockwise direction as illustrated) a charge of air is carried away from the valve plate 30 in a cavity 34 (between the ends or faces of the radial lobes 17 and 18) for compression at a location contiguous the meshing intersection of the rotors 15 and 16. Specifically, the air charge is forced into one of a pair of generally-cylindrical combustion chambers 36 (indicated in phantom). As described below, the combustion chambers 36 are actually defined in the integral housing; however, for purposes of explanation, these chambers are illustrated in FIG. 2, to be in their operating position in addition to being shown in the housing component parts.

Continuing with the explanation of the operating structure 14, fuel is injected into the air charge contained in the chamber 36, -then ignited by one of the pairs of opposing spark plugs 13, that are affixed in the ends of the chamber 36, and are energized as well known in the art.

Upon combustion of the compressed fuel gases within the chamber 36, combustion gases are provided in expanding relationship moving from the chamber 36 into the space defined between the rotors 15 and 16 so as to exert a driving force on the rotor 15 perpetuating its revolution. Thus, the rotors 15 and 16 are forcefully driven by internal combustion, as a result of timed ignitions occurring in the chambers 36.

To synchronize the engine, the rotor 15 is interconnected with the rotor 16 along with the valve plates 30 and 32 to a gearing system 42 as indicated. The gearing system 42 also provides a drive output from the engine, by the coupling as described to the shafts 6 and 8. Thus, the system is synchronously operated so that as the gaseous products of combustion expand from the combustion chambers 36 to drive the rotors, afterwhich the gases are expended and dispensed (adjacent the valve plates) as exhaust from the rotary channels as indicated by the arrows 26 and 28.

The detailed operation of the system as considered above is set forth at length in the above-referenced patents; however, for purposes of the presen-t invention, the above explanation is deemed satisfactory to establish a need for a combination-element housing to enclose the operating structure 14 as Well as to afford support for the shafts 22 and 24 and to provide, the combustion chambers 36. It is of further importance that such a housing may be economically produced and assembled, and may be opened with relative ease to afford access to the operating components therein. Such a housing will now be considered the primary components of lwhich are shown in detail in FIG. 2.

Preliminarily, it is to be noted that one pair of matinglyopposed component parts 44 and 46 define an annulus about the rotor 15 and provide side closure for the rotor [6. In a somewhat complimentary fashion, another pair of component parts 48 and 50 define an annulus about the rotor 16 and provides side or fiat closures for the Surfaces of the rotor 16. Thus, the two pairs of component parts are mated in an integral relationship to house the internal operating structure 14. 4

Considering the housing in greater detail, it may be seen that the component parts 44 and 48 are similar, as are the component parts 46 and 50. Also while the parts 46 and 50 actually include two separate pieces, they are somewhat like the parts 44 and 48. Specifically, the component part 50 includes separate sub-components 52 and 54 while the component part 46 includes separate subcomponents 56 and 58. In this regard, the sub-components 52 and 58 are similar as are the sub-components 54 and 56. As a result of the similarity between the various subcomponents and parts, it is readily apparent that considerable economy is achieved in: production, inventory maintenance and repair of an engine utilizing this housing.

Considering the similar component parts 44 and/48 simultaneously (bearing similar detail reference numerals) an arcuate section 60 extends radially from a circular hub 62, the two being integral as in a unitary casting. It is to be noted, that the arcuate extension 60 containing transverse -bores 61 is circular in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane occupied by the circular dimension of the hub 62. At its base 63 the hub 62 terminates in a fiat surface 64 to lie contiguous the enclosed rotor. Bores 66 in a circular array or pattern extend through the base 63 and are threaded to receive fasteners, e.g. studs which hold the structure together. The central section of the hub 62 is relieved by a somewhat cylindrical opening 68 which narrows outwardly to a bore 70 defined in a rim 71 that matingly receives a bearing 72 into which a shaft, e.g. the shaft 2,2 is received. Perpendicular to the base 63 of the hub 62, a step 74 is provided to dene an arcuate slot 76 to receive the valve plate, e.g. the plate 30. Radially inward from the step 74, an abutment 76 is provided, containing an exhaust bore 78 extending Vinto the mutually defined annular channel and through Which the products of combustion are exhausted on encountering the revolving valve plate.

Another external element of the component parts 46 and 48 is formed substantially at the junction between the arcuate extension 60 and the hub 62, and defines a block 80 having a fuel port (not shown) and a through bore 82 which comprises the combustion chamber for the annular space defined by the arcuate extension 60. Another structural detail of the parts 44 and 48 is the arcuate end 81 defined in the section 60. The arcuate end 81 mates with a similar opposed surface 83 (sub-components 54 and 56) to define an intake port 85 (FIG. l left) to the engine.

IConsidering the component housing parts 46 and 50 (lower) in greater detail, these similar members are also described concidentally, comprising similarly-labeled structural forms. In general, the components 46 and 50 are somewhat similar to the components 44 and 48; however, these members are divided to afford a space `84 to receive one of the rotary valve plates 30 or 32. Thus, the components 46 and 50 include an arcuate extension 86 which cooperates with one of the sub-components 54 or 56 to dene an annulus. Specifically, for example, the arcuate extension 86 from the component part 50` cooperates with the arcuate extension 60 of the part 48 to define an annular space about the rotor 16. In a complimentary manner, the arcuate extension 60 of the cornponent part 44 cooperates with the similar element of the component part 46 to define an annulus about the rotor 15.

The component parts 46 and 50 also include a hub 88 which is integral with an arcuate extension 86. Each of the hubs 88 include a base 90 defining a circular pattern of fastening bores 92 and an annular rim 94 which is bored and receives a bearing 96. The components 46 and 50 also include a block 98 substantially between the hub 88 and the arcuate extension 86, which block defines a bore 100` that may be employed as a combustion chamber and Iwhich is parted to receive a fuel injection nozzle at aperture 97. It is to be noted, that although the components 50 and 44 also include this element yfor purposes of uniformity in manufacture, the defined bore may be omitted or employed to serve another function, e.g. as a mounting bore, a coolant circulation passage, or so on.

The components 46 and 50 also include a traverse step 102 defining a slot 104 to receive the rotary valve plate. It is to be noted that the step 102 along with the similar step 74 of the components 44 and 48 also contain threaded bores 106 to receive studs for afiixing a cover 108 (-FIG. 1) over the valve plate mounted therein.

Considering the manufacture of an engine substantially as disclosed herein, the operating components comprising the mechanism 14 may be variously provided in accordance with teachings of the prior art, as for example, as described in the above-referenced patents. The housing portion of the engine may then be formed by metal casting and machining techniques, to define the component parts 44, 46, 48 and 50 as described above. For example, the basic parts may be cast then machined to final form and shape. In this regard, it is emphasized that the similarities between these parts provides a substantial economy in manufacture.

Upon completion of the component parts of the housing as described above, these members are fitted with bearings, e.g. bearings 81 in rim 94, which may be press fitted. Additionally, the combustion chambers may be fitted, as with fuel injectors, heads 11 and spark plugs 12 (FIG. l). Next, the component parts 44, 46, `48 and 50 may -be fitted together about the central structure 14 as shown in PIG. l.

Studs are then placed thro-ugh the bores 66 (component part 48) and bores 61 (component part 44) to be received in threaded bores 92 (component 50) and thereby lock the housing to encase the rotor 1S. In a somewhat similar fashion, studs are placed through the bores 92 (component 46) bores 61 (component 48) to be received in the threaded bores 66 (component 44) thereby defining an enclosure for the internal structure 74. Studs 9 are then threaded into all closure bores (bores 66, 61 and 92 to lock the structure into an integral unit).

Subsequent to the assembly of the structure as described above, the engine may -be fitted with system 42 in various forms, as generally well known in the prior art. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the valve plate 30 is received in a slot 110 defined cooperatively between the mated parts 48, 46 and 50 and borne on a shaft 112 supported on a bearing affixed in a mating groove in the sub-component 56. The shaft 112 may then be connected by gears and the like, as disclosed in the above-referenced patents to accomplish the function of the gearing system 42.

As another assembly operation, the covers 110 are fitted over the valve plates and fastened in position as by studs threaded into bores 106. Finally the engine is equipped with fuel sources, an ignition system and so on as well known in the art. Thus, the engine is completed, and ready for an extended interval of trouble-free operation.

As indicated above, an important consideration hereof, resides in the fact that the rather-complex housing is reduced to a very simple set of components which are generally similar. As a result, considerable economy results,

in both production and assembly as well as maintenance. Of course, as indicated above, the system hereof may be readily adapted to a wide variety of specific shapes and forms and may be incorporated in cooperation with a wide variety of machines of different detailed structures; therefore, the system as disclosed herein is to be deemed merely an exemplary embodiment.

What is claimed is:

1. A modular housing for a rotary engine, which engine incorporates two inter-meshed perpendicular disk members, carried on transversely related shafts for external connection, comprising:

a first pair of matingly opposed members defining an annulus about one of said disk members and defining side walls for the other of said disk mem-bers;

a second pair of matingly opposed members defining an annulus about said other of said disk members and defining side walls for said one of said disk members; and

means for affixing said first opposed members and said second opposed members together whereby said first opposed members support one of said shafts and said second opposed members support the other of said shafts.

2. A housing according to claim 1, wherein said opposed members each define a bearing support for one end of one of said shafts.

3. A housing according to claim 2 wherein one of said matingly opposed members in each of said pair defines an internal combustion chamber, radially offset from said disk members.

4. A housing according to claim 2 wherein annular valve-plate spaces are provided extending perpendicularly to said disk members.

5. A housing according to claim 4 wherein one of said matingly opposed members ineach of said pair defines an internal combustion chamber, radially offset from said disk members.

6. A housing according to claim 5 further including means to define exhaust and intake ports to said intermeshed disk members.

7. A housing according to claim 6 wherein said ones of said matingly opposed members in each of said pair are substantially identical.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 979,638 12/1910 Ball. 2,674,982 4/ 1954 McCall. 3,060,910 10/1962 McCall.

FOREIGN PATENTS 645,256 9/ 1962 Italy.

MARK NEWMAN, Primary Examiner A. D. HERRMANN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 91--85 

